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By Keith McCordLITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON -- Utah's mountains already have snow, and more is expected this weekend; that means we can expect the avalanche danger to increase. The Utah Avalanche Center wants to make sure people are prepared when they head to the high country.
Dry slab avalanches typically travel 60-80 miles per hour, reaching these speeds within about 5 seconds after fracture. Wet avalanches travel around 20 miles per hour. -Utah Avalanche Center
Avalanches are common in Utah. One of the reasons is we have such a large population living so close to a mountain range with many recreation spots to enjoy. Now, even though the snow depths aren't really deep yet, the danger is already there.
90 percent of avalanche accidents are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim's party. -Utah Avalanche Center
Bruce Tremper, director of the Utah Avalanche Center, says, "We get our worst accidents usually in December because the snow is thin and weak, and then the first snowstorms on top of that make it especially dangerous."
That's the scenario that's setting up for this coming weekend. Tremper says on average, four people are killed in avalanches each year in Utah. He also says about 100 people unintentionally trigger slides every year.
Tremper says the conditions right now are conducive for avalanches to occur -- old, weak snow on the slopes now will be covered by new snowfall.
The avalanche forecasters says it's vitally important for anyone heading to the backcountry to know the conditions, travel with experienced people and have the proper equipment.
Avalanche forecaster Craig Gordon says, "If you're heading into the backcountry, you gotta be prepared for your own rescue, and that means carrying avalanche rescue gear -- a beacon, a shovel and a probe -- and then knowing how to use this gear."
Backpacks with breathing devices called "Avalungs" can keep you alive for an hour under the snow. There is also something new called an avalanche airbag pack. Tremper says, "When you blow these up, they make you a larger object, and it floats you to the surface, just like a life jacket in the water."
93 percent of avalanche victims survive if dug out within the first 15 minutes. After 45 minutes, only 20-30 percent survive. -Utah Avalanche Center
The avalanche center also posted signs statewide with backcountry safety reminders. It's called the "Are You Beeping" program. As you walk past the sign, a receiver starts beeping to show that your beeper is working properly.
It's all about being found, if you do get caught in an avalanche. Statistics shows that about 10 percent of those caught in an avalanche will die.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
